Dental laser interface system and method

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the invention provide a system of controlling a dental laser system. The system can include a dental laser and a control system for controlling certain functions of the dental laser. A graphical user interface can be used to provide input to the control system. The graphical user interface can include a first display and an second display with selectable segments, and a menu navigation portion located adjacent the second display. Treatment categories, procedures or laser control options can be selected using the interface, and the interface can be updated based on data from the station.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/866,173, filed Jan. 9, 2018, which is aContinuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/666,287,filed Mar. 23, 2015, which claims priority from Provisional ApplicationNo. 61/968,632, filed Mar. 21, 2014, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The increasing range and sophistication of dental tools has broadenedtheir appeal within the dental community. Nowadays, most dentalpractices will have at least one complex dental laser station that caninclude various control systems, displays, and one or more userinterfaces of various forms that can be used to control the tool, and/ormonitor and communicate some function or operational characteristic ofthe tool.

In most systems available on the market today, the user interface isoften complex, and typically does not enable the dentist to choose orupdate the visual or operational characteristics of the interface. Thiscan be especially limiting to specialized fields of dentistry. Forexample, most interfaces will appear and operate the same regardless ofwhether the practicing dentist is a dentist practicing as a generaldentist, an oral surgeon, an orthodontist, etc. Of the tools that doenable some modification of the user interface, the procedures are oftenburied in various layers of the interface and require multiple inputs orupdates.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments include a dental laser control system comprising atleast one computer system including at least one processor that isconfigurable to control at least one function of a dental laser, and atleast one user display including at least one graphical user interfaceconfigured and arranged to exchange information with the at least onecontroller. Some embodiments include a non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium configured to tangibly store thereon program logic forexecution by the at least one processor. In some embodiments, theprogram logic includes a dental laser control system that when executedby the at least one processor, is configured to update the at least onegraphical user interface. In some embodiments, the update can includerendering a first display at least partially encircled by an seconddisplay, where the second display comprises at least one user-selectablesegment, and rendering at least one menu navigation portion adjacent theat least one user-selectable segment. In some embodiments, the at leastone menu navigation portion includes displayed information related toany user-actuable function represented by any one of the user-selectablesegments. In some embodiments, following selection of a segment by auser through interaction with graphical user interface, the at least oneprocessor is configured by the program logic to render the segment witha distinguishing graphical look, and to initiate a control sequenceaccessing or controlling one or more of the functions of the dentallaser.

In some embodiments, after initiating the control sequence, the at leastone processor is configured by the program logic to receive data fromthe dental laser indicative of a status or operation of the dentallaser, and to provide an icon or graphical update within the at leastone graphical user interface based at least in part on at least aportion of the received data.

In some embodiments, the second display extends the circumference of thefirst display. In some further embodiments, the second display includesat least one banner associated with a segment, where the at least onebanner comprises a notification or description of a parameter orfunction represented by the segment.

In some embodiments, the menu navigation portion includes at least onesection configured to provide information related to at least onesub-menu. In some further embodiments, the graphical user interfacefurther comprises a display of a recommendation for one or more lasertips of the dental laser.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured by the programlogic to display a user-slidable slide bar and to provide input to theat least one controller based on user positioning of the slide bar. Insome embodiments, the processor is further configured by the programlogic to display associative icons that relate to dental categories,procedures, steps, or options. In some further embodiments, theprocessor is further configured by the program logic to display at leastone video and graphics related to user a help guide.

In some embodiments, the second display comprises at least one of auser-selectable dental treatment category and user-selectable dentalprocedure. In some further embodiments, the second display comprises oneor more selectable steps of a dental procedure represented as the atleast one of the user-selectable segment. In some embodiments, the firstdisplay displays one or more parameters of any user-selected step of adental procedure.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured by the programlogic to display a parameter display indicating one or more parametersof the dental laser station. In some embodiments, the program logic isconfigured to enable one or more of the parameters to be modified by theprocessor based on a user input to a slider bar displayed in thegraphical user interface. In some further embodiments, the parameterdisplay includes a display of laser power based at least in part on auser's operation of the slider bar.

In some embodiments, the second display comprises at least oneuser-defined or selected favorite dental procedures or favorite steps ofa dental procedure represented as at least one of the at least oneuser-selectable segments. In some embodiments, the selection of the atleast one user-selectable segment occurs based on a user's touch of theuser display of a segment.

Some embodiments include a non-transitory storage medium comprising anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium configured to tangiblystore thereon program logic for execution by at least one processor. Theprogram logic includes a dental laser control system that when executedby the at least one processor, is configured to display or update atleast one user interface by displaying at least a portion of a graphicaluser interface on at least one user display. In some embodiments, the atleast one user display is configured and arranged to exchangeinformation with at least one dental laser controller. In someembodiments, the program logic is configured to enable the processor torender a first display on the graphical user interface that is at leastpartially encircled by an second display comprising at least oneuser-selectable segment. In some embodiments, the program logic isconfigured to enable the processor to render on the graphical userinterface at least one menu navigation portion adjacent the at least oneuser-selectable segment, where the menu navigation portion includesdisplayed information related to any user-actuable function representedby any one of the user-selectable segments. Further, in someembodiments, following selection of a segment by a user throughinteraction with graphical user interface, the at least one processor isconfigured by the program logic to render the segment with adistinguishing graphical look, and to initiate a control sequenceaccessing or controlling one or more of the functions of the dentallaser.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured by the programlogic to display a user-slidable slide bar, and to provide input to theat least one controller based on user positioning of the slide bar. Insome further embodiments, the processor is further configured by theprogram logic to display associative icons that relate to dentalcategories, procedures, steps, or options.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a display with a user interface in an examplestart-up mode in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a display with a user interface for controlling adental laser station with video tutorial options in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a display with a user interface for controlling adental laser station including example docking station guide icons inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a display with a user interface for controlling adental laser station including a priming check screen in accordance withsome embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a display with a user interface for controlling adental laser station including a priming status in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a display with a user interface for controlling adental laser station displaying a control wheel in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a display with a user interface for controlling adental laser station displaying a control wheel in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a display with a user interface for controlling adental laser station displaying a control wheel in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a display with a user interface for controlling adental laser station displaying a control wheel in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a display with a user interface for controlling adental laser station displaying a control wheel in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a display with a user interface for controlling adental laser station displaying a control wheel in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a display with a user interface for controlling adental laser station showing a video and animations menu in accordancewith some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a display with a user interface for controlling adental laser station showing a video and animations menu in accordancewith some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates a display with a user interface for controlling adental laser station displaying a control wheel in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates a display with a user interface for controlling adental laser station displaying a control wheel in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates a display with a user interface for controlling adental laser station displaying a control wheel in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates a display with a user interface for controlling adental laser station displaying an entry screen in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 18 illustrates a display with a user interface for controlling adental laser station displaying a control wheel in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 19 illustrates a display with a user interface for controlling adental laser station displaying a control wheel in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 20 illustrates a display with a user interface for controlling adental laser station displaying a session menu in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 21 illustrates a display with a user interface for controlling adental laser station displaying a control wheel in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 22 illustrates a display with a user interface for controlling adental laser station displaying a control wheel in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 23 illustrates a display with a user interface for controlling adental laser station displaying a control wheel in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 24 illustrates a display with a user interface for controlling adental laser station displaying a control wheel in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 25 illustrates an icon legend of a display with a user interfacefor controlling a dental laser station in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 26 illustrates handpieces and tips selection menu of a display witha user interface for controlling a dental laser station in accordancewith some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 27 illustrates a key menu of a display with a user interface forcontrolling a dental laser station in accordance with some embodimentsof the invention.

FIG. 28 illustrates an information menu of a display with a userinterface for controlling a dental laser station in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 29 illustrates a display with a user interface for controlling adental laser station displaying a control wheel in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 30 illustrates a display with a user interface for controlling adental laser station displaying a control wheel in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 31 illustrates a display with a user interface for controlling adental laser station displaying a control wheel in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 32 illustrates a display with a user interface for controlling adental laser station displaying a control wheel in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 33 illustrates a display with a user interface for controlling adental laser station displaying a tip selection menu in accordance withsome embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 34-47 illustrate displays with user interfaces for controlling adental laser station displaying example procedure control wheel displaysin accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 48 illustrates a display with a user interface for controlling adental laser station including an example parameter display inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 49-55 illustrate displays with user interfaces for controlling adental laser station displaying example control wheels in accordancewith some embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 56-57 illustrate displays with user interfaces for controlling adental laser station including an example tip check displays inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 58-59 illustrate displays with user interfaces for controlling adental laser station displaying example control wheels in accordancewith some embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 60-61 illustrate displays with user interfaces for controlling adental laser station including control parameter selection tools inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 62 illustrates a display with a user interface for controlling adental laser station display an example control wheel in accordance withsome other embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 63 illustrates a computer system for implementing displaysincluding user interfaces for controlling a dental laser station inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood thatthe phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein ismeant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereofas well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, theterms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variationsthereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirectmountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected”and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connectionsor couplings.

The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in theart to make and use embodiments of the invention. Various modificationsto the illustrated embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art, and the generic principles herein can be applied to otherembodiments and applications without departing from embodiments of theinvention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not intended to belimited to embodiments shown, but are to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. Thefollowing detailed description is to be read with reference to thefigures, in which like elements in different figures have like referencenumerals. The figures, which are not necessarily to scale, depictselected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope ofembodiments of the invention. Skilled artisans will recognize theexamples provided herein have many useful alternatives that fall withinthe scope of embodiments of the invention.

The various embodiments of the invention described herein includesystems and methods to enable the control and/or monitoring of complexdental laser stations using interfaces that can be customized or easilychanged using a single control. Embodiments of the invention includecontrol systems, displays, and associated user interfaces that can beused to control some aspect of a dental laser station, and/orcommunicate some function or operational characteristic of the tool tothe user. For example, the invention can include control systems,displays, and user interfaces that can be used to control dental laserstations or related dental restorative and oral disease preventiontools. More specifically, the various embodiments of the inventiondescribed herein include systems and methods to enable the operateand/or monitor the functional aspects of dental laser stations usinginterfaces that can be customized for a specific dental procedure and/orfor any specific dental specialty including, but not limited to generaldentistry, oral and maxillofacial dentistry, orthodontic dentistry,endodontic dentistry, pediatric dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and soon.

Embodiments of the invention can include a graphical user interface(hereafter “GUI”) that comprises a menu that is organized based upon aone or more GUI category buttons, any one of which can have one or morecontrol system attributes. These category buttons may be defined as butnot limited to: dentin, enamel, anterior deciduous, hemostasis, perio,endo, incision/excision, desensitation and osseus. The buttons may be“soft” buttons in the GUI (i.e., graphically displayed buttons), hardbuttons adjacent on the machine, and/or a remote control or WiFi linkedsystem. The attributes can be singularly controlled and/or controlled incontrol system in two or more groupings. This control may take the formbut not limited to a knob metaphor of a category button that can controlone or more attribute systems. For example, the knob metaphor may beturned left for less power, slower speed, less percentage, etc., or formore power, faster speed, higher percentage, etc. This can enable thecontrol of up to twelve or more attribute systems such as not limitedto: Air—%, Power—watts, Pulse—ms, H20%, illumination %, aiming beam %,diode power—w, YSGG power. These relationships can increase/decrease,can be changed, modified interactively, or singularly/interactivelybased upon waveform systems to optimize the dental procedures. The menumay be in the form of a circular pie chart or in the form of at leastone standard drop down menu. This system may be used with a laser systemor in combination with other systems. Further, a procedure set up menucan allow a user to interactively modify the menu, including, forexample, to add or subtract category buttons, to modify attributevalues, and/or to allow personification of a specific doctor'spreference system.

Throughout the description and the FIGS. 1-62 described below, thedisplay can comprise “soft” buttons that are graphically rendered in aGUI, and/or hard buttons adjacent on a dental tool or control equipment,and/or a remote control or a WiFi linked system. Further, the userinterface can be graphically rendered in a display or can form part ofthe display (i.e. a GUI), and/or can be a user interface embodied in thephysical hardware of a dental tool or control equipment, and/or a remotecontrol or WiFi linked system. Embodiments of the invention that includea GUI can include at least one GUI that is rendered on and/or iscontained within a touchscreen display. For example, in someembodiments, the display can comprise a touchscreen display that isconfigured to enable a user to interact with the displayed GUI using asingle, multiple or repeated physical contact with the display. Further,in some embodiments, user actions with the GUI can include contact of atleast a portion of the display to represent an input to the displayand/or input or selection of any information within the display or GUI.

FIG. 1 illustrates a display 100 with a user interface 110 in an examplestart-up mode in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Theuser interface 110 can be graphically rendered in the display 100 orform part of the display 100 that can be coupled to or integrated with acomputing system and/or controller that is booted from a cold status(e.g., as a first time start up). In some embodiments of the invention,the display 100 including user interface 110 can be housed within or becoupled to one or more control and/or monitoring tools that can beconfigured to interface with one or more dental laser stations. Forexample, in some embodiments, the display 100 including user interface110 can be housed within the dental laser station or be coupled to adocking station 20 that can interface with a dental laser station 10(e.g., see docking station 20 coupled to a dental laser station 10 shownin FIG. 3). In some embodiments, the dental laser station 10 cancomprise a dental laser. In other embodiments, the dental laser station10 can comprise any dentistry equipment including or not including alaser. Some other embodiments of the user interface 110 can be used fora wide variety of laser equipment.

In some embodiments, during or following start-up, the user interface110 can include one or more alerts, status updates, and/or check statusprompts. In some embodiments, the one or more alerts, status updates,and/or check status prompts can include a check of the completeness of aspecific configuration related to the dental laser station 10, dockingstation 20, display 100, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, auser can tap on the display 100 to wake display from hibernation orsuspension. The screen can provide a system status such as an updatedlegend or animation to show the progress of the wake-up and/or an introdisplay 120. In some embodiments, the user interface 110 can include oneor messages and/or icons of function such as function icons 115, and/orstatus icons 125. For example, in some embodiments, the user interface110 can display status icons 125 that can be configured to displayinformation and/or provide a status update or alert regarding one ormore functional, operational parameters related to the display 100and/or the dental laser station 10 and/or the docking station 20. Forexample, in some embodiments, the status icons 125 can comprise a statusicon 125 a, and/or status icon 125 b, and/or status icon 125 c, and/orstatus icon 125 d. In some embodiments, the status icon 125 a can beupdated with a warning dialog if the docking station 20 is not docked.In some embodiments, the status icon 125 b can be updated with a warningdialog if the dental laser station and/or the docking station 20 areunplugged. Further, in some embodiments, the status icon 125 c can beupdated with a warning dialog if the breaker is not on. Further, in someembodiments, the status icon 125 d can be updated with a warning dialogif the key is not in the on position.

Referring to FIG. 2, illustrating a display 100 with a user interface110 for controlling a dental laser station 10, in some embodiments,following start-up and the various system checks and notificationsdescribed above with respect to FIG. 2, the viewing user can bepresented with video tutorial options to assist in various operationalaspects of the system (i.e., the docking station 20 coupled to thedental laser station 10). For example, in embodiments, the userinterface 110 can include a video display 130 and associated videocontrols 135 that can be displayed during a first-time start up and/orwhen a new software update has occurred. In some embodiments, the videodisplay 130 can reset after first start up, which can be controlled byleaving unchecked a choice indicator defining whether a video should beshown at start up or not (displayed in the user interface 110). Usingthe video controls 135, a user can view a system tutorial video, andthen proceed to enter a product license registration after a prompt onthe display 100.

FIG. 3 illustrates a display 100 with a user interface 110 forcontrolling a dental laser station 10 including example embodiments ofdocking station guide labels or icons. As described earlier, the dentallaser station 10 can include a coupled docking station 20. A mobileinterface 25 including the display 100 can be coupled to the dentallaser station 10 using the docking station 20. For example, in someembodiments, the mobile interface 25 can comprise a mobile controllerand/or computing device such as a tablet or a laptop computer that canbe coupled to the docking station 20. In other embodiments, the mobileinterface 25 can comprise a smart phone or other mobile display devicethat can be coupled to the docking station 20. In some embodiments,access, control and status icons 140 can be included with the dentallaser station 10, docking station 20, and/or mobile interface 25. Forexample, in some embodiments, the access, control and status icons 140can be physically coupled to the dental laser station 10, dockingstation 20, and/or mobile interface 25. In other embodiments, theaccess, control and status icons 140 can be rendered on the display 100.

FIG. 4 illustrates a display 100 with a user interface 110 forcontrolling a dental laser station 10 including a priming check screenin accordance with some embodiments of the invention. In someembodiments, the tool icon 145 can be displayed to enable a user tointeract with the tool icon 145 to confirm a priming check of a coupledhandpiece. In some embodiments, with a plurality of users using thedental laser station 10, an account selection page can be displayedprior to the priming check screen of FIG. 4. FIG. 5 illustrates adisplay 100 with a user interface 110 for controlling a dental laserstation 10 including a priming status in accordance with someembodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, following aninitiation of the priming of the handpiece, tool icon 147 can bedisplayed confirming a tool and tip priming with a status bar 149.

FIG. 6 illustrates a display 100 with a user interface 110 forcontrolling a dental laser station 10 displaying a control wheel 150 inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments,the control wheel 150 can be used to control and communicate one or morefunctions of the dental laser station 10.

Some embodiments include various function icons 115 that can beconfigured to navigate the display 100 and/or control one or morefunctions of the user interface 110. In some embodiments, the controlwheel 150 can include a first display 155 at least partially surroundedby an second display 175. In some embodiments, the first display 155 candisplay information related to the function of the dental laser station10. Further, in some embodiments, the first display 155 can include atleast one user interaction element. In some embodiments, the seconddisplay 175 can be formed from segments 200. In some embodiments, thesegments 200 can comprise a single segment. In other embodiments, thesegments 200 can comprise multiple segments.

In some embodiments, any one of the segments 200 can be actuatable by auser. For example, in some embodiments, any one of the segments 200 canbe selected by a user through a user interaction with the display 100.In some embodiments, any of the segments 200 can include banner content225. In some embodiments, the banner content 225 can comprise anotification or description of the underlying segment 200. Further, insome embodiments, following a user selection of a specific segment 200,the contents of a variation of the contents of the specific bannercontent 225 of the chose segment 200 can be displayed in the firstdisplay 155, and the banner content 225 can be updated based on theselected content. For example, FIG. 7 illustrates a display 100 with auser interface 110 for controlling a dental laser station 10 displayinga control wheel 150 illustrating an example where a user selection of a“learning center” segment 200 can cause the control wheel 150 to updateto banner content 225 related to “learning center”. Further exampleembodiments of various menu and items selections from the “learningcenter” can be seen in FIGS. 8-11. For example, FIG. 8 illustrates adisplay 100 with a user interface 110 for controlling a dental laserstation 10 displaying a control wheel 150 in accordance with someembodiments of the invention following a selection of “white papers” inthe example of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 illustrates a display 100 with a userinterface 110 for controlling a dental laser station 10 displaying acontrol wheel 150 in accordance with some embodiments of the inventionfollowing a selection of “news” in the example of FIG. 7.

Further, FIG. 10 illustrates a display 100 with a user interface 110 forcontrolling a dental laser station 10 displaying a control wheel 150 inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention following a selectionof “training and education” in the example of FIG. 7. FIG. 11illustrates a display 100 with a user interface 110 for controlling adental laser station 10 displaying a control wheel 150 in accordancewith some embodiments of the invention following a selection of“procedures” in the example of FIG. 7.

In some embodiments of the invention, videos and animations can beselected by the user for training and use guidance. For example, FIG. 12illustrates a display 100 with a user interface 110 for controlling adental laser station 10 showing a video and animations menu (video menu160) in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. In someembodiments, the display 100 illustrated in FIG. 12 can be reached by auser following a selection of “Videos and Animations” in the example ofFIG. 7. Referring to FIG. 13, illustrating a display 100 with a userinterface 110 for controlling a dental laser station 10 showing a videoand animations menu (menu 160), in embodiments of the invention, usingthe video menu 160, a user can select one or more videos or animations,for example, by selecting a videos icon 165.

In some embodiments of the invention, the user can use the control wheel150 to set or update various setting of the dental laser station 10. Forexample, referring to FIG. 14 illustrating a display 100 with a userinterface 110 for controlling a dental laser station 10, and FIG. 15illustrating a display 100 with a user interface 110 for controlling adental laser station 10, the control wheel 150 can be used to access,set or adjust one or more setting of the dental laser station 10following a user selection of any one of the segments 200 as shown.Further, as an example embodiment, FIG. 16 illustrates a display 100with a user interface 110 for controlling a dental laser station 10displaying a control wheel 150 configured to enable a user to change auser configuration setup in accordance with some embodiments of theinvention. For example, following a user selection of the segment 200including a banner content 225 of “add a new user”, a user can setup orupdate the dental laser station 10 with a new user. For example, FIG. 17illustrates a display 100 with a user interface 110 for controlling adental laser station 10 displaying an entry screen with data entry 170configured for entry of a username of a new user. In some furtherembodiments, users can be renamed, deleted, or cleared. Other exampleembodiments including setup configurations are shown in FIG. 18,illustrating a display 100 with a user interface 110 for controlling adental laser station 10, and FIG. 19 illustrating a display 100 with auser interface 110 for controlling a dental laser station 10 displayinga control wheel 150 in accordance with some embodiments of theinvention.

In some embodiments, the user can select a session to review or enter aweb portal. For example, FIG. 20 illustrates a display 100 with a userinterface 110 for controlling a dental laser station 10 displaying asession menu 180 in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.As illustrated, the session menu 180 can enable a user to reviewsessions by date, by procedure, and/or by doctor. FIG. 21 illustrates adisplay 100 with a user interface 110 for controlling a dental laserstation 10 displaying a control wheel 150 configured with web portalaccess in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Forexample, in some embodiments, the user can use the control wheel 150 toaccess a discussion forum or breaking news in a web portal by selectingat least one of the segments 200.

In some other embodiments of the invention, the user can use the controlwheel 150 to initiate or check system and maintenance, or to enter aservice mode. For example, FIG. 22 illustrates a display 100 with a userinterface 110 for controlling a dental laser station 10 displaying acontrol wheel 10 configured to access and/or update system informationin accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Further, FIG. 23illustrates a display 100 with a user interface 110 for controlling adental laser station 10 displaying a control wheel 150 configured withoptions related to maintenance in accordance with some embodiments ofthe invention. Further, FIG. 24 illustrates a display 100 with a userinterface 110 for controlling a dental laser station 10 displaying acontrol wheel 150 configured for a service mode in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

Embodiments of the invention described herein can include a display oraccess to various menus, legends, and information displays describing orrelated to any descriptions, symbols and graphics displayed by thedental laser station 10 including any device coupled to the dockingstation 20, and any mobile interface 25. For example, FIG. 25illustrates an icon legend 185 of a display 100 with a user interface110 for controlling a dental laser station 10 in accordance with someembodiments of the invention. Further, FIG. 26 illustrates handpiecesand tips selection menu 190 of a display 100 with a user interface 110for controlling a dental laser station 10 in accordance with someembodiments of the invention. FIG. 27 illustrates a key menu with keylegend 195 of a display 100 with a user interface 110 for controlling adental laser station 10 in accordance with some embodiments of theinvention, and FIG. 28 illustrates an information menu including aninput legend 197 of a display 100 with a user interface 110 forcontrolling a dental laser station 10 in accordance with someembodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, the display 100 candisplay any of the information including text, symbols and graphicsshown in FIGS. 25-28. In other embodiments, the information includingtext, symbols and graphics shown in FIGS. 25-28 can be including indocumentation provided to the user and/or printed on a label or otherattachment coupled to the dental laser station 10.

In some embodiments of the invention, a user can initiate a treatment orprocedure category. For example, FIGS. 29-30 illustrate example display100 with a user interface 110 for controlling a dental laser station 10displaying a control wheel configured to enable a user to select atleast on category in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.In some embodiments, the selected category can be highlighted in thecontrol wheel 150. For example, FIG. 31 illustrates a display 100 with auser interface 110 for controlling a dental laser station 10 displayinga control wheel 150 including a highlighted segment 200 a in accordancewith some embodiments of the invention.

As an additional example, the first display 155 of FIG. 31 displays amessage alerting the user is not authorized to use the chosen category.In some embodiments, after a user selects a category, the user can usethe control wheel 150 to select a specific procedure. For example, FIG.32 illustrates a display 100 with a user interface 110 for controlling adental laser station 10 displaying a control wheel 150 configured toenable a user to select at least one procedure in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

As the user prepares to perform a selected procedure, the display 100can enable the user to define specific tools including specifichandpieces and tips. For example, FIG. 33 illustrates a display 100 witha user interface 110 for controlling a dental laser station 10displaying a tip selection menu in accordance with some embodiments ofthe invention. For example, the display 100 can be configured to displaya user interface 110 including a tool display 300 comprising tipselection icons 305. In some embodiments, the user interface 110 canshow the currently selected tool (current tool 315) and/or a recommendedtool based on the selected procedure (recommended tool 320).

FIGS. 34-47 illustrate displays 100 with example user interfaces 110 forcontrolling a dental laser station 10 displaying control wheels 150configured for an example procedure in accordance with some embodimentsof the invention. The example procedure comprises a series of selectedsteps for a decontamination within an endodontic category, however otherexample procedures can include display similar to those displayed inFIGS. 34-47. The control wheel 150 can be used to select one or moresteps of the procedure. For example, as shown in FIGS. 36-39, thecontrol wheel 150 can highlight selected step 1 (shown as highlightedsegment 355). Further, the control wheel 150 can show a parameterdisplay 350 indicating one or more parameters of the dental laserstation 10. In some embodiments, one or more of the parameters can bemodified using a slider bar 375 displayed in the user interface 110.Moreover, the status of the dental laser can be displayed as anindicator within the user interface 110, for example showing dentallaser “ready”, “firing”, or in “standby” mode.

Referring to FIGS. 40-47, following the completion of a first step, auser can proceed with any further steps of a procedure. For example, asdepicted in FIGS. 41-47, a user can proceed with a selected second step360. Further, as shown in FIGS. 41-43, a user can be provided with anoption to select a favorite procedure and/or step of a procedure (shownas favorite icon 390), and following selection, a favorited icon 395 canbe displayed in the user interface 110. Further, as depicted in FIG. 45,showing a display 100 with a user interface 110 for controlling a dentallaser station 10, in some embodiments, the control wheel 150 cancomprise a saved step selection 215 to enable a user to save a selectedstep.

In some embodiments, tool parameters can be shown and changed using theuser interface 110. For example, FIG. 48 illustrates a display 100 witha user interface 110 for controlling a dental laser station 10 includingan example parameter display in accordance with some embodiments of theinvention. In some embodiments, the user interface can include a controldisplay 400, and/or mode display 425, and/or chosen tip display 450.Further, in some embodiments, the chosen tip display 450 can include atip verification display 475 depicting a current tip 480, and arecommended tip 485.

FIGS. 49-55 illustrate displays 100 with user interfaces 110 forcontrolling a dental laser station 10 displaying example control wheels150 in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. For example,FIGS. 49-52 illustrate displays 100 with user interfaces 110 configuredfor favorites selection using the control wheel 150 for controlling adental laser station 10 displaying a control wheel 150 in accordancewith some embodiments of the invention. For example, FIG. 51 shows aselected segment 210 identifying a user-selected favorite. Further, insome embodiments, the user interface can display information related toa specific tool or tip that is in use and/has been selected. Forexample, FIG. 53 illustrates a display 100 with a user interface 110 forcontrolling a dental laser station 10 displaying a control wheel 150that includes a tip marker 308.

In some further embodiments, the user can encouraged or asked to changea tip type. For example, FIG. 55 illustrates a display 100 with a userinterface 110 for controlling a dental laser station 10 displaying acontrol wheel 150 in accordance with some embodiments of the inventionthat includes a message window 230 displaying a request for the used tochange a tip type. FIGS. 56-57 illustrate displays 100 with userinterfaces 110 for controlling a dental laser station 10 including anexample tip check displays with FIG. 56 showing current tip 480 andrecommended tip 485, and FIG. 57 showing current/recommended tip 490.FIGS. 58-59 illustrate displays 100 with user interfaces 110 forcontrolling a dental laser station 10 displaying example control wheels150 including a notification of the tip type (shown as tip marker 308)in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 60-61 illustrate displays 100 with user interfaces 110 forcontrolling a dental laser station 10 including control parameterselection tools in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.For example, user interface 110 can include a control display 500configured to monitor various parameters of the dental laser station 10.In some embodiments, one or more slider bars 505 can be displayed toenable the user to change one or more of the parameters displayed in thecontrol display 500.

FIG. 62 illustrates a display 100 with a user interface 110 forcontrolling a dental laser station display 10 an example control wheel150 in accordance with some other embodiments of the invention. In someembodiments, any one of the segments 200 can comprise one or moregraphic icons 227 that can be configured by the dental laser station 10.Further, in some embodiments, the user interface 110 can also include atleast one control slider 117 that can be configured to control at leastone parameter of the dental laser station 10. Including any parametersdisplayed in the first display 155.

FIG. 63 illustrates a computer system 30 for implementing displays withuser interfaces for controlling a dental laser station in accordancewith some embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments of theinvention, computer system 30 comprises operating and processing modulesof a dental laser station control system and method for a display with auser interface to enable a user to control one or more dental laserstations. In some embodiments, the computer system 30 can process one ormore software modules of the aforementioned dentistry control system andmethod and display information related to dental devices within at leastone user interface. Further, in some embodiments, using the computersystem 30, the dentistry control system and method can manage theorganization of data and data flow between the various components of thedentistry control system and method.

In some embodiments, the system 30 can include at least one computingdevice, including one or more processors 32. Some processors 32 caninclude processors 32 residing in one or more conventional serverplatforms. The system 30 can include a network interface 35 a and anapplication interface 35 b coupled to at least one processors 32 capableof running at least one operating system 34. Further, the system 30 caninclude a network interface 35 a and an application interface 35 bcoupled to at least one processors 32 capable of running one or more ofthe software modules (e.g., enterprise applications 38). Someembodiments of the invention also relate to a device or an apparatus forperforming these operations. The apparatus can be specially constructedfor the required purpose, such as a special purpose computer. Whendefined as a special purpose computer, the computer can also performother processing, program execution or routines that are not part of thespecial purpose, while still being capable of operating for the specialpurpose. Alternatively, the operations can be processed by a generalpurpose computer selectively activated or configured by one or morecomputer programs stored in the computer memory, cache, or obtained overa network. When data are obtained over a network the data can beprocessed by other computers on the network, e.g. a cloud of computingresources.

With the above embodiments in mind, it should be understood that theinvention can employ various computer-implemented operations involvingdentistry control data stored in computer systems. Moreover, theabove-described databases and models throughout the dentistry controlcan store analytical models and other data on computer-readable storagemedia within the system 30 and on computer-readable storage mediacoupled to the system 30. In addition, the above-described applicationsof the dentistry control system can be stored on computer-readablestorage media within the system 30 and on computer-readable storagemedia coupled to the system 30. These operations are those requiringphysical manipulation of physical quantities. Usually, though notnecessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical,electromagnetic, or magnetic signals, optical or magneto-optical formcapable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared and otherwisemanipulated.

Some embodiments include the system 30 comprising at least one computerreadable medium 36 coupled to at least one data storage device 37 b,and/or at least one data source 37 a, and/or at least one input/outputdevice 37 c. In some embodiments, the invention embodied by thedentistry control system can also be embodied as computer readable codeon a computer readable medium 36. The computer readable medium 36 can beany data storage device that can store data, which can thereafter beread by a computer system (such as the system 30). Examples of thecomputer readable medium 36 can include hard drives, network attachedstorage (NAS), read-only memory, random-access memory, FLASH basedmemory, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, DVDs, magnetic tapes, other optical andnon-optical data storage devices, or any other physical or materialmedium which can be used to tangibly store the desired information ordata or instructions and which can be accessed by a computer orprocessor (including processors 32).

In some embodiments of the invention, the computer readable medium 36can also be distributed over a conventional computer network via thenetwork interface 35 a so that the dentistry control system embodied bythe computer readable code can be stored and executed in a distributedfashion. For example, in some embodiments, one or more components of thesystem 30 can be tethered to send and/or receive data through a localarea network (“LAN”) 39 a. In some further embodiments, one or morecomponents of the system 30 can be tethered to send or receive datathrough an internet 39 b (e.g., a wireless internet). In someembodiments, at least one software application 38 running on one or moreprocessors 32 can be configured to be coupled for communication over anetwork 39 a, 39 b. In some embodiments, one or more components of thenetwork 39 a, 39 b can include one or more resources for data storage,including any other form of computer readable media beyond the media 36for storing information and including any form of computer readablemedia for communicating information from one electronic device toanother electronic device.

In some embodiments, the network 39 a, 39 b can include wide areanetworks (“WAN”), direct connections (e.g., through a universal serialbus port) or other forms of computer-readable media 36, or anycombination thereof. Further, in some embodiments, one or morecomponents of the network 39 a, 39 b can include a number of clientdevices which can be personal computers 40 including for example desktopcomputers 40 d, laptop computers 40 a, 40 e, digital assistants and/orpersonal digital assistants (shown as 40 c), cellular phones or mobilephones or smart phones (shown as 40 b), pagers, digital tablets,internet appliances, and other processor-based devices. In general, aclient device can be any type of external or internal devices such as amouse, a CD-ROM, DVD, a keyboard, a display, or other input or outputdevices 37 c. In some embodiments, various other forms ofcomputer-readable media 36 can transmit or carry instructions to acomputer 40, including a rsecond, private or public network, or othertransmission device or channel, both wired and wireless. The softwaremodules 38 can be configured to send and receive data from a database(e.g., from a computer readable medium 36 including data sources 37 aand data storage 37 b that can comprise a database), and data can bereceived by the software modules 38 from at least one other source.

In some embodiments, at least one of the software modules 38 can beconfigured within the system 30 to output data to at least one user 31via at least one digital display (e.g., to a computer 40 comprising adigital display). In some embodiments, the system 30 as described canenable one or more users 31 to receive, analyze, input, modify, createand send data to and from the system 30, including to and from one ormore enterprise applications 38 running on the system 30. Someembodiments include at least one user 31 coupled to a computer 40accessing one or more modules of the dentistry control system includingat least one enterprise applications 38 via a stationary I/O device 37 cthrough a LAN 39 a. In some other embodiments, the system 30 can enableat least one user 31 (through computer 40) accessing enterpriseapplications 38 via a stationary or mobile I/O device 37 c through aninternet 39 a.

In some embodiments, the software modules 38 can include a server-basedsoftware platform that can include dentistry control software modulessuitable for hosting at least one user 31 account and at least onepatient account or record. Further, some embodiments of inventionincludes the software modules 38 that can include at least oneserver-based software platform that can include dentistry controlsoftware modules suitable for hosting at least at least one patientaccount or record. In some embodiments, using the system 30, thedentistry control system and method can manage multiple user accountsand/or multiple patient accounts.

Any of the operations described herein that form part of the inventionare useful machine operations. The invention also relates to a device oran apparatus for performing these operations. The apparatus can bespecially constructed for the required purpose, such as a specialpurpose computer. When defined as a special purpose computer, thecomputer can also perform other processing, program execution orroutines that are not part of the special purpose, while still beingcapable of operating for the special purpose. Alternatively, theoperations can be processed by a general purpose computer selectivelyactivated or configured by one or more computer programs stored in thecomputer memory, cache, or obtained over a network. When data isobtained over a network the data can be processed by other computers onthe network, e.g. a cloud of computing resources.

The embodiments of the present invention can also be defined as amachine that transforms data from one state to another state. The datacan represent an article, that can be represented as an electronicsignal and electronically manipulate data. The transformed data can, insome cases, be visually depicted on a display, representing the physicalobject that results from the transformation of data. The transformeddata can be saved to storage generally or in particular formats thatenable the construction or depiction of a physical and tangible object.In some embodiments, the manipulation can be performed by a processor.In such an example, the processor thus transforms the data from onething to another. Still further, the methods can be processed by one ormore machines or processors that can be connected over a network. Eachmachine can transform data from one state or thing to another, and canalso process data, save data to storage, transmit data over a network,display the result, or communicate the result to another machine.Computer-readable storage media, as used herein, refers to physical ortangible storage (as opposed to signals) and includes without limitationvolatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable storage mediaimplemented in any method or technology for the tangible storage ofinformation such as computer-readable instructions, data structures,program modules or other data.

Although method operations can be described in a specific order, itshould be understood that other housekeeping operations can be performedin between operations, or operations can be adjusted so that they occurat slightly different times, or can be distributed in a system whichallows the occurrence of the processing operations at various intervalsassociated with the processing, as long as the processing of the overlayoperations are performed in the desired way.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while theinvention has been described above in connection with particularembodiments and examples, the invention is not necessarily so limited,and that numerous other embodiments, examples, uses, modifications anddepartures from the embodiments, examples and uses are intended to beencompassed by the claims attached hereto.

1. A dental laser control system comprising: at least one computersystem including at least one processor, the at least one computersystem configurable to control at least one function of a dental laser;at least one user display configured and arranged to exchangeinformation with the at least one controller, the at least one userdisplay including at least one graphical user interface; anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium configured to tangiblystore thereon program logic for execution by the at least one processor,the program logic including a dental laser control system that whenexecuted by the at least one processor, is configured to update the atleast one graphical user interface by: rendering a first displayadjacent a second display, the second display comprising at least oneuser-selectable segment; and rendering at least one menu navigationportion adjacent the at least one user-selectable segment, the at leastone menu navigation portion including displayed information related toany user-actuable function represented by any one of the user-selectablesegments, and wherein following selection of a segment by a user throughinteraction with graphical user interface, the at least one processor isconfigured by the program logic to render the segment with adistinguishing graphical look, and is further configured to initiate acontrol sequence accessing or controlling one or more of the functionsof the dental laser.
 2. The control system of claim 1, wherein uponinitiating the control sequence based on the selected segment, the atleast one processor is configured by the program logic to receive datafrom the dental laser indicative of a status or operation of the dentallaser, and is further configured to provide an icon or graphical updatewithin the at least one graphical user interface based at least in parton at least a portion of the received data.
 3. The control system ofclaim 1, wherein the second display extends at least a portion of thecircumference of the first display.
 4. The control system of claim 1,wherein the second display includes at least one banner associated witha segment, the at least one banner comprising a notification ordescription of a parameter or function represented by the segment. 5.The control system of claim 1, wherein the at least one menu navigationportion includes at least one section configured to provide informationrelated to at least one sub-menu.
 6. The control system of claim 1,wherein the graphical user interface further comprises a display of arecommendation for one or more laser tips of the dental laser.
 7. Thecontrol system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configuredby the program logic to display a user-slidable slide bar and to provideinput to the at least one controller based on user positioning of theslide bar.
 8. The control system of claim 1, wherein the processor isfurther configured by the program logic to display associative iconsthat relate to dental categories, dental procedures, dental steps, oroptions.
 9. The control system of claim 1, wherein the processor isfurther configured by the program logic to display at least one of videoand graphics related to a user help guide.
 10. The control system ofclaim 1, wherein the second display comprises at least one of auser-selectable dental treatment category and user-selectable dentalprocedure.
 11. The control system of claim 1, wherein the second displaycomprises one or more selectable steps or options of a dental procedurerepresented as the at least one of the user-selectable segment.
 12. Thecontrol system of claim 1, wherein the first display includes a displayof one or more parameters of any user-selected step of a dentalprocedure.
 13. The control system of claim 1, wherein the processor isfurther configured by the program logic to display a parameter displayindicating one or more parameters of the dental laser station.
 14. Thecontrol system of claim 13, wherein program logic is configured toenable one or more of the parameters to be modified by the processorbased on a user input to a slider bar displayed in the graphical userinterface.
 15. The control system of claim 14, wherein the parameterdisplay includes a display of laser power based at least in part on auser's operation of the slider bar.
 16. The control system of claim 1,wherein the second display comprises at least one user-defined orselected favorite dental procedures or favorite steps of a dentalprocedure represented as at least one of the at least oneuser-selectable segments.
 17. The control system of claim 1, wherein theselection of the at least one user-selectable segment occurs based on auser's touch of the user display of a segment.
 18. A non-transitorystorage medium comprising: a non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium configured to tangibly store thereon program logic for executionby at least one processor, the program logic including a dental lasercontrol system that when executed by the at least one processor, isconfigured to display or update at least one user interface by:displaying at least a portion of a graphical user interface on at leastone user display, the at least one user display configured and arrangedto exchange information with at least one dental laser controller;rendering on the graphical user interface a first display adjacent asecond display, the second display comprising at least oneuser-selectable segment; and rendering on the graphical user interfaceat least one menu navigation portion adjacent the at least oneuser-selectable segment, the at least one menu navigation portionincluding displayed information related to any user-actuable functionrepresented by any one of the user-selectable segments, and whereinfollowing selection of a segment by a user through interaction withgraphical user interface, the at least one processor is configured bythe program logic to render the segment with a distinguishing graphicallook, and is further configured to initiate a control sequence accessingor controlling one or more of the functions of the dental laser.
 19. Thenon-transitory storage medium of claim 18, wherein the processor isfurther configured by the program logic to display a user-slidable slidebar, and to provide input to the at least one controller based on useractuation or positioning of the slide bar.
 20. The non-transitorystorage medium of claim 18, wherein the processor is further configuredby the program logic to display associative icons that relate to dentalcategories, dental procedures, dental steps, or options.